The best rain covers for cameras are the unsung heroes of outdoor photography. Even if the heavens open, you'll be able to carry on shooting without worrying about your gear getting damaged. Conversely, if you specifically intend to take photos on a wet day, for example if you're shooting wildlife or sports, you'll be able to get unique pictures you wouldn't be able to capture otherwise.
Yes, many mid- and high-range DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are weather-sealed. But this only protects them up to a point ,and they may not stand up to a serious downpour. Plus you need to think about protecting your lenses just as much as you do your camera. Rain covers will make it easier to change memory cards or camera batteries without water getting into the delicate insides of your camera.
In this article, we’ve brought together the best rain covers on sale today, along with simpler products that provide a quick and convenient pouch in which to stow your camera in the event of a passing shower.
Kulsoom Middleton
Kulsoom has a long history of contributing to Future’s portfolio of photography publications, including N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine and Digital Camera Magazine. Her expertise isn’t just limited to imaging, but extends across all forms of technology.
With a choice of three sizes, this cover features quality fabric that’s watertight, durable and flexible, with plenty of zipped openings. Read more below…
If you enjoy shooting wildlife photos, the choice of designs in this range means you can camouflage your camera and lens, and protect it too. Read more below…
Use this cover in conjunction with Peak’s Capture Clip system, and you can easily attach your covered camera to a belt or backpack. Read more below…
Best rain covers for cameras and lenses
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Best premium rain cover
(Image credit: Future)
1. Think Tank Hydrophobia
The best rain cover overall
Specifications
Size: 21.1 x 18.8 x 7.9cm (for lens size lens size 300mm-800mm)
Color: Black
Reasons to buy
+
Coated and well-sealed
+
Folds down well
Reasons to avoid
-
Not cheap
If you're serious about wet weather shooting and want the best rain cover for your camera and lenses, here's our top recommendation, although be warned, it's not cheap. This rain cover is made from Denier Nylon fabric, which is beautifully watertight, sturdy enough to protect your gear, and flexible enough to fold up nicely. It has a handy front cover to keep your lens dry while you're waiting to shoot. It's got lots of zippers and different openings, making it suitably flexible.
Yes, it's a bit fiddly to attach. And yes, it's on the pricey side. But if it helps you get that perfect shot or saves your camera from damage (or both), it's surely worth the investment.
Make sure you get the right one for your camera, though, as the Hydrophobia range comes in a variety of sizes. The 300-800 V3 fit cameras with a lens size of 300-800mm, the 70-200 V3 fit cameras with medium-telephoto zoom lenses, and the 24-70 V3 fit cameras with short primes, wide-angle, and standard zooms.
When you get down to it, a good camera rain cover doesn't need to be complicated. It needs to protect your camera from the elements while also giving you the ability to keep on shooting. This is a target that the Think Tank Emergency Rain Cover hits perfectly, for a relatively low price.
The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating fends off moisture from the outside, while the extensive seals ensure there's no chance of ingress through the material. It folds down into a small carrying pouch, and when you do need it, it's quick and easy to deploy. You can access your camera controls through the cinchable sleeve, with an oversized window that makes it easy to see what you're doing at all times. It uses the shoe mount to securely attach to your camera, so you can be sure it won't slip off.
There are three sizes available: Small, Medium and Large. If you frequently use lenses of wildly different lengths, you might find yourself needing to pick up more than one to ensure all your bases are covered. Happily, they're well-priced enough that this won't represent a horrendous outlay of cash.
A budget plastic-bag-style raincoat for your camera
Specifications
Size: Suitable for digital SLR and mirrorless cameras
Color: Transparent
Reasons to buy
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Low cost
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Good for emergency use
Reasons to avoid
-
Not very robust, so not count on you being able to use more than once
This is a cheap and simple weatherproofing solution that works with practically any camera/lens combination. The Rainsleeve is essentially just a plastic bag that fits over the camera, and you insert your hands through the opening. You get two sleeves in every pack - and it is designed to take up to next to no room in the corner of your camera bag, until the day you get caught out by the weather.
The E-702 is part of a substantial range of rain covers from Manfrotto, with 10 sizes covering everything from mirrorless cameras to large camcorders – plus an extension sleeve for long telephotos, and a waterproof neck strap.
This particular cover is designed to protect a full-frame SLR and a 70-200mm lens, with enough room to allow easy operation of all the camera and lens controls.Unlike some covers, where you’ll have to fumble around blind, the E-702’s large clear plastic panel lets you see everything, although condensation build-up in cold or humid weather could spoil the view.
Rain will have a job getting inside, thanks to drawstrings securing both arm holes and the lens opening. The latter has a semi-rigid adjustable collar to ensure free movement of an extending lens barrel. Attaching the cover is quick and easy, with a large Velcro-fastened slot in the base that also allows a tripod mount to pass through.
Size: Mеdіum fоr саmеrа bоdу and lеnѕ uр tо 15" (Small and Large also available)
Color: Available іn a range of colors and camouflage patterns
Reasons to buy
+
Durable
+
Good protection
Тhе LеnѕСоаt RаіnСоаt RS рrоvіdеѕ рrоtесtіоn fоr уоur саmеrа and lеnѕ frоm elements lіkе rаіn, salt ѕрrау, sand and dust, while enabling уоu to ассеѕѕ all your саmеrа and lеnѕ controls easily. As well as a choice of three sizes (Small, Medium and Large), you can pick one of three plain colors (black, green or navy) or one of five camouflage designs, each suiting a different environment. If you’re a wildlife photographer, these will help you blend into the background and not disturb your subject, at the same time as protecting your gear.
Тhis cover іѕ made frоm а lightweight wаtеrрrооf, breathable mаtеrіаl. Тhе ѕеаmѕ аrе tape-sealed fоr mахіmum рrоtесtіоn. Тhе RаіnСоаt RЅ gоеѕ оn quickly and еаѕіlу, and (оn mеdіum and large mоdеlѕ) аllоwѕ уоu tо аdјuѕt the length of the cover and tо kеер іt snug аrоund уоur lеnѕ. Yоu саn аlѕо ассеѕѕ the саmеrа through the rear opening.
This rain cover is designed to work in harmony with Peak Design’s popular Capture Clip system, which enables you to attach your camera to a belt or a bag strap while it’s in its cover, making it easier for you to stay on the move while it’s raining.
The stretchy neoprene sleeve slips over your lens and onto the camera body, with drawstring cords tightening around the base and lens to create a snug fit. A couple of well-sealed slots allow your camera’s strap to pass through the top.
Although the Shell looks neat and tidy when fitted, the cover needs to be folded back awkwardly to use your camera; even then, the lens is still obscured, making this better suited to protecting a prime optic. A clever concept, but not without its limitations.
A rain cover for a camera is a protective cover made from waterproof material that shields your camera and lens from rain, snow, and other moisture. This enables you to continue shooting in wet conditions, without allows you to shoot in adverse weather conditions without compromising the safety of your gear. Note, though, that they are not designed for submerging in water. If you want to do that, see our guide to the best underwater housings for cameras and phones.
Camera rain covers should still allow you to have access to the main camera controls when fitted (Image credit: Future)
How do I choose the right rain cover for my camera?
A good rain cover will do a lot to keep your camera dry, but be aware that rain covers come in various sizes and designs to accommodate different camera models and lens combinations. Most are designed for use with pro DSLRs and mirrorless cameras with equally large lenses; smaller setups are likely to be swallowed by excess material, making them tricky to operate. So think carefully about buying a cover that's the optimal size for your camera.
Also consider functionality. Many rain covers feature transparent windows or flaps that allow you to access essential camera controls, such as buttons, dials, and the viewfinder.
As for long lenses, the average rain cover is best suited to a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. However, some manufacturers offer longer or extendable versions for super-telephoto optics.
A rain cover won’t do much to stop droplets forming on the front of your lens. That’s a problem best solved by fitting your lens hood. Also, threading your camera’s strap outside a rain cover will get it wet and compromise water resistance. A cover with an integrated strap is a much better solution.
Kulsoom has a long history of contributing to Future’s portfolio of photography publications, including N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine and Digital Camera Magazine, making her well placed to identify some of the best deals and savings being offered – especially during sales bonanzas like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
Her expertise isn’t just limited to imaging, but extends across all forms of technology. So in addition to writing about cameras, lenses, filters, tripods, gimbals and camera bags, Kulsoom also provides buying guides and flags up great deals on smartphones, smartphone cases, camera drones, instant cameras, action cameras, laptops, laptop cases, scrapbooks and everything in-between.
